For some time now, I’ve argued that Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, likely will face a tough 2014 re-election battle. Rep. Esty went to Washington, D.C., after a close 2012 race, and throughout American history, the party in power in the White House has more often than not done poorly in midterm congressional elections. Also, the 5th District is quite the swing district; in its 100-year modern history, it has been represented by eight Democrats and nine Republicans.

In previous posts on this matter, I’ve made note of Rep. Esty’s early efforts to raise money for her ’14 campaign. Memorably, in a fundraising letter emailed to supporters Easter Sunday, Rep. Esty’s campaign said contributions were badly needed in part because of the candidacy of Mark Greenberg, the tea-party leaning Litchfield businessman who sought the GOP nomination for the seat in 2010 and 2012. The Esty campaign took pains to point out that Mr. Greenberg claims he is prepared to spend $2 million of his own money to defeat the rookie congresswoman. (As I wrote April 1, I tend to think Team Esty overstated Mr. Greenberg’s importance, given that his tea-party leanings are a bit at odds with those of most Connecticut voters.)

With this in mind, Roll Call, a Washington, D.C., newspaper that covers Congress, has provided readers with a look at how fundraising efforts in the hottest ’14 contests went during the first quarter of 2013. Unsurprisingly, the race for Connecticut’s 5th District seat made the list. Apparently, between the beginning of January and the end of March, Rep. Esty took in $233,000, spent $77,000 and had $196,000 on hand.

That’s a lot of money to raise and spend over a three-month period even though the election still is 19 months away. That Rep. Esty’s fundraising operation is in high gear so far in advance of the election is the best indicator that we are in for an exciting contest.

About the author

Matt Stevens - Editorial writer. Matt joined the Republican-American in October 2010. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2009 with a B.A., majoring in political science and minoring in criminal justice. He also earned an M.A. in print journalism and public affairs from American University in 2010. While in graduate school, Matt interned for the Washington, D.C., Trade Journal CEO Update.
Email: mstevens@rep-am.com
Phone: (203) 574-3636 ext. 1490